Why I’m Voting for Evan McMullin

If you’re not interested in reading a political post, come back tomorrow and I’ll have a funny post up about Wanda and a journaling post this weekend.

This is not a political blog. I don’t promote fiery rhetoric or enjoy causing friction. In fact, I generally prefer to keep my political views private. To me, the votes I cast are deeply personal and I discuss them only with a few close friends and my husband as we research together. I don’t do bumper stickers or lawns signs.

I also don’t tend to douse innocent strangers with buckets of water. However, if I see a person whose hair is on fire, I’ll happily throw some liquid to put her out.

America’s hair is on fire.

So, today on the blog, I’m dumping out my bucket, right here on the blog. I’m telling you who I’m voting for. You may not have heard of him.

I hadn’t heard about Evan McMullin until recently. I’m not a news junkie and I’m so sick at heart about this presidential election that when I see a link to a story about the race, I’ve gotten to the point where I scroll past quickly.

But, in the past week I’ve seen several links from dear friends about Evan McMullin, a new third-party candidate for president. My first thought was, “This is a stunt.” Next, “This is a joke.” And finally, “This guy is just trying to split the conservative vote so Trump can’t win.”

That last thought was mildly interesting because I really desperately don’t want Trump to win, so I followed one of the links.

Evan McMullin’s tagline is – It’s never too late to do the right thing.

And I spent an entire day watching video interviews and reading news stories about a man who I now deeply want to be the next president of the United States.

His chances are epically slim. All the better for the made-for-TV movie script after he wins, right? Maybe Sean Astin can play him.

Evan McMullin doesn’t sound like a politician. Because he’s not one.

He DOES sound intelligent, thoughtful, fair-minded, well-spoken, and earnest. He sounds kind. He sounds measured and calm but also firm and commanding. He sounds like not a narcissist or a racist. He sounds like someone who deeply wants to unite a divided country.

He is around my age. He’s 40.

He graduated from BYU with a degree in international law and diplomacy, working for the CIA as he completed his undergrad. He was an undercover CIA operative in major world conflict zones for 11 years. He has first-hand experience meeting with and fighting against terrorists and has a strong knowledge of world events, leaders, and people. He is well-versed in the constitution and fiercely devoted to protecting it.

He also received his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He’s worked in business. And most recently, Evan McMullin served as the chief policy director of the House Republican Conference.

Why did he get involved?

He can’t bear to see what’s happening in this presidential election. I know very few people who are excited about either major party candidate. Many are terrified of one or both of them.

I disagree with Hillary Clinton on most issues and I don’t trust her. Donald Trump’s presidency would be an unprecedented disaster for our country. He would embarrass us daily. He is unstable and unfit and I don’t believe our country, as we know it, would be left when he was done with it.

I’m an independent and have voted for people from both major parties over the years but my views are largely conservative. There generally isn’t a perfect candidate for me.

But I think Evan McMullin is that candidate. He sees himself as an American first. Then a conservative. Party loyalty comes after that. I know it sounds like a line but when he says it, I believe him.

How can Evan McMullin Win?

He says he waited and waited in this election for someone with national name recognition to join the race, to step up and offer a third option, a viable option. When he reached out to contacts to ask if he could help in any way with an independent candidate running for office, they asked him to run.

He is only officially on the ballot of 11 states and eligible as a write-in in 20+ others and counting. Word is, he will soon be a valid write-in in my state, Washington.

His most realistic path to victory would be to win one or two states in a close election, causing Clinton and Trump to both miss the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. There are 528 total votes. If that were to happen, the decision would go to the House of Representatives.

He believes he could win in a three-way contest with Trump and Clinton because his platform is closely aligned with Paul Ryan and other Republicans in congress.

Evan McMullin’s bid for the presidency is the longest of longshots.

But he’s a spark of hope in an election that has been a long, dark road for many Americans.

People have asked me how I can vote for someone who has such a low chance of winning. I don’t think that should even be a question. When I vote, I don’t look for who’s most likely to win and then jump on that train. When I vote, I vote for the person who most closely shares my values and who I feel would do the best job.

I live in a blue state. Our electoral votes will most definitely go to Hillary Clinton. They always go to a democrat. So, does that mean I always vote democrat? No. I vote for the person who I believe could best lead our country. Every time.

And I don’t always feel passionate about the candidate I vote for.

This year there’s a candidate I feel passionate about.

Women fought for years for the right to vote. And so many others around the world do not have that option. I will not throw away my gift by voting “against” someone or choosing the “lesser of two evils.”

This November, I am writing in “Evan McMullin” for president. And I’m voting the heck out of my local elections. Because there are good people in Washington State who are stepping up to serve and have a great chance of winning on a local level.

It’s never too late to do the right thing.

**This blog is a place of love, respect, and encouragement. If you violently disagree and want to flame, feel free to do it somewhere else. I’m happy to have respectful discussion, but I will delete anything inflammatory or hateful.**

He seems like a really good guy. I feel like I’m watching a slow train-wreck this election season for sure. It is the most bizarre thing I think I’ve lived through. This is a good post. Thanks for sharing it.

Saw this on a friend’s FaceBook Timeline and loved it. Thank you for writing such a clearly organized and heartfelt tribute about your path to finding which presidential candidate earned your vote. I’m standing with Evan!

I’m not the political activist type but I am all fired up now. I truly believe we could have the next American Revolution on our hands. There is power when everyone stands up and says, “ENOUGH! We’re not putting up with this anymore.”